Hethersett Academy are finalists of The Rolls-Royce Schools Prize for Science & Technology

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October 13th 2020

The Rolls-Royce Schools Prize for Science & Technology is a national, annual awards programme that helps increase science, mathematics, and technology engagement in schools and colleges. 

Hethersett Academy's team of Year 9 students submitted a sustainable design and technology initiative as their application, landing a £1,000 Special Merit Award (SMA) for STEM teaching in school. SMA winners were entered into the finalist shortlist, which resulted in the team becoming one of six national finalists.

This achievement has won the Academy a further £5,000 and direct support from Rolls-Royce to implement their sustainable action plan. 

Kate Finlay, Head of Design and Technology, said: "The project is a continuation of the work we had previously undertaken where we looked into reusing plastic. We are going one step further and trying to extrude our own filament, with the aim of using it in the 3D printers at school. Part of the challenge is also creating a sustainable blueprint that we can share with other schools.  

"The project will challenge our children as they take on many different roles including material engineer, product designer, marketing agent and research and development specialist. The programme will also give them exposure to working with high profile representatives from within the industry, such as the Chief Manufacturing and Engineering Director at Rolls-Royce."

The project timeline is September 2020 to June 2021. The final prize awarded to the programme winner will be towards STEM teaching in the school. 

 

Read more about the programme here